How much does a neurologist make?

The median pay is $119.50 per hour — roughly $248,500 a year, with the real range running from about $40.08/hr (10th percentile) to $216.72/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a neurologist?

The typical entry-level education is: Doctoral degree. Overall preparation level: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).

What does a neurologist actually do all day?

Interview patients to obtain information, such as complaints, symptoms, medical histories, and family histories. Examine patients to obtain information about functional status of areas, such as vision, physical strength, coordination, reflexes, sensations, language skills, cognitive abilities, and mental status. Perform or interpret the outcomes of procedures or diagnostic tests, such as lumbar punctures, electroencephalography, electromyography, and nerve conduction velocity tests.

Health Care

Neurologists

Diagnose, manage, and treat disorders and diseases of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves, with a primarily nonsurgical focus.

What it pays
Neurologists earn a median of $119.50/hr — about $248,500 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $40.08/hr; the top 10% earn $216.72/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)

What you'd actually do

Interview patients to obtain information, such as complaints, symptoms, medical histories, and family histories.
Examine patients to obtain information about functional status of areas, such as vision, physical strength, coordination, reflexes, sensations, language skills, cognitive abilities, and mental status.
Perform or interpret the outcomes of procedures or diagnostic tests, such as lumbar punctures, electroencephalography, electromyography, and nerve conduction velocity tests.
Order or interpret results of laboratory analyses of patients' blood or cerebrospinal fluid.
Diagnose neurological conditions based on interpretation of examination findings, histories, or test results.
Prescribe or administer medications, such as anti-epileptic drugs, and monitor patients for behavioral and cognitive side effects.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: Doctoral degree. Overall preparation: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).

The feel of the work

The work is mostly indoors; you're around people constantly; time pressure is a real part of the job; it rewards working independently; precision matters — small details carry weight. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 4.6% of neurologists are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are analytical, people-focused and hands-on.

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Quick questions

How much does a neurologist make?: The median pay is $119.50 per hour — roughly $248,500 a year, with the real range running from about $40.08/hr (10th percentile) to $216.72/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Do you need a degree to be a neurologist?: The typical entry-level education is: Doctoral degree. Overall preparation level: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).
What does a neurologist actually do all day?: Interview patients to obtain information, such as complaints, symptoms, medical histories, and family histories. Examine patients to obtain information about functional status of areas, such as vision, physical strength, coordination, reflexes, sensations, language skills, cognitive abilities, and mental status. Perform or interpret the outcomes of procedures or diagnostic tests, such as lumbar punctures, electroencephalography, electromyography, and nerve conduction velocity tests.

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.

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